Fifty Plus
Links of possible special interest to the retired
AGE CONCERN. A very well laid out site, offering a tour around, index, news, information (a huge collection of relevant documents) and details of services that include insurance (good value but what I thought was an intimidating household insurance form), available grants, training and fundraising. It's at http://www.ace.org.uk. There's also a chat room for older people at the Baby Boomer Bistro (!): http://www.babyboomerbistro.org.uk/
AGE-NET. An "age-friendly internet site dedicated to the lifestyle and interests of the Over 50s", claiming to be particularly strong in readers' art and literature, with an active forum section. UK based, and well worth a look: http://www.age-net.co.uk
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE. A very comprehensive list of sites and newsgroups all over the web. At: http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/altm.html
ARP/50. The (British) Association of Retired and Persons over 50 local website for the East Anglia and East Midlands regions. ARP/50 provides "a forum, a voice, and a range of money saving supplies and services" for those over 50. It looks interesting. This local site is at: http://www.viridian.mcmail.com/arp/, but there's a national site at: http://www.arp.org.uk/
CANCER HELP. Helpful information and advice for the general public from the Cancer Research Campaign. Well presented and matter of fact. At: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/
CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons). A non-profit organisation that aims to safeguard rights of over-50s, provide useful information, and negotiate group discounts in Canada! A bit slow, and it needs a browser that can handle frames, but it sounds a very politically effective pressure group. You can find it at: http://www.fifty-plus.net/
CITIZENS' ADVICE BUREAU (Manchester). Very useful advice and information and a good database to search (there were, for example, 18 references to retirement). Also offers updates on changes in the law, Cloggie's (who's he/she?) advice on typical problems, and an e-mail service to solve your problems. What more could you ask? It goes a bit over the top, though, with sound files that are slow to unload and which I, for one, had not got the necessary program to play. It's at http://www.poptel.org.uk/cab/
There is also a national CAB site that offers excellent online information and advice on a whole range of consumer subjects. It's at: http://194.129.36.68/nacab/plsql/nacab.homepage
COMPUTER HELP FOR PEOPLE OVER 50. A simple site for Windows 98 users: http://members.aol.com/shobansen3/
EXPERIENCE CORPS. Opportunities for the over-fifties to volunteer for local community work. To find out more, phone 0800 106080 or go to: http://www.experiencecorps.co.uk
FIFTH MOON. A vigorous campaigning UK site for the over-50s, with various services provided, it aims to make growing older a goal to be cherished. Worth a visit at: http://www.fifthmoon.com
50 CONNECT is a Windsor based commercial operation that claims to be the UK’s leading internet channel dedicated to today’s over 50s. It has more emphasis on regional links than some, and offers free webspace, but otherwise the extensive content (perhaps inevitably) seems rather similar to the competition. Some online videos are included, but unfortunately they don't seem to work on a Mac: http://www.50connect.co.uk.
GREYPOWER. The site of "a New Zealand lobby organisation promoting the welfare and wellbeing of all those citizens in the 50 plus age group". It sounds another effective political pressure group. At: http://www.greypower.co.nz
HAIRNET UK offers older people one-to-one computer training in the student's own home or workplace for a reasonable fee. They have Hairnet trainers all over the UK, who are self-employed, and are looking for more. For more information tel 0870 241 5091 or email peter@hairnet.org. Their website, that includes online community pages, written by over-50s for over-50s, is at: http://www.hairnet.org.
I DON'T FEEL 50. A lively upbeat UK site by Graham Andrews, with useful information and links about health, work, pensions and much else, together with a forum to which all can contribute. Recommended. At: http://idf50.co.uk
LIFEBEGINS.NET. An interesting and comprehensive UK site for over-50s with sections on health, finance, learning, chat, jokes, competitions, giveaways and much else. Its editor describes it as "a place on the net where you can relax, find some entertainment, and obtain useful, reliable information." It all looks very promising. Currently being developed at: http://www.lifebegins.net.
LIFES4LIVING. A lively new UK site for over 50s. Sections on health, hobbies, wealth, the internet etc, with a chance to join and use their live voice and video software to communicate all over the world (this sounds interesting but unfortunately it's not designed for a Mac!). Worth a look at: http://www.lifes4living.co.uk/
OLDIE, THE. Up-beat and often entertaining monthly magazine with some good cartoons (see right) and some interesting articles. Edited by Richard Ingrams and well worth a look. Available from better newsagents! For subscription enquiries, 'phone 0171-734 3311. It has its own website: http://www.theoldie.co.uk
OPEN UNIVERSITY.Ever thought of doing a degree course in your spare time? You won't have much free time left, and it will take years, but they say you're never too old, so, if you'd enjoy the challenge, it could be worth your while to find out more at: http://www.open.ac.uk/
PHARMACY2U claims to be the UK's first officially registered on-line pharmacy. It sells medicines, vitamins and minerals, homeopathic medicines,personal care and disability and lifestyle aids (including viagra) and offers an 'ask the pharmacist' email service. It's at: http://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/
PRE-RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION. They run courses throughout the UK. If you want to find out more, 'phone them at 01483-301170, email them at info@pra.uk.com, or write to them at 9, Chesham Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 3LS. Their website is at: http://www.pra.uk.com/
REACH (Retired Executive Action Clearing House). Run by volunteers, this offers part-time, expenses-only jobs for people with management, business or professional skills. All very worthy, but it's obviously a matter of luck whether there's an opportunity in your particular region that really suits you. 'Phone them on 020 75826543, or write to them at 89, Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP. Their website is: http://www.reach-online.org.uk and you can email them at: mail@reach-online.org.uk.
RETIREMENT MATTERS. This claims to be the UK's one stop directory for retirement and over 50's related products. It's efficiently and attractively set out, and includes some useful (if sometimes brief) general interest articles. Although it's funded by advertisers and has links to companies like Amazon, it also offers independent pensions advice, runs competitions and has a growing pen-pal circle. It's at: http://www.retirement-matters.co.uk
SAGA. Caters exclusively for people over 50. It offers very reasonably priced and friendly holidays (although their hotels can be some way out), good flight reductions, insurance of all sorts (including good value travel insurance for either single trips or on an annual basis), reduced price 'phone calls (if you use their special Visa card), and a (rather stodgy) monthly magazine. They have their own website at: http://www.saga.co.uk/. Or you can 'phone their subscriptions dept at 01303 -711523 or write to Saga at Saga Building, Middleburg Square, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1AZ. But be warned: once you get on their mailing list, you may never get off it again!
ST JOHN'S INTERNET CHURCH. Here's somewhere you can join in an act of worship any time of the day (or night), and can even take communion (when you act as proxy for the minister). Not everyone will approve of this, but it's a sensible well-presented site run by Rev. Dr. Everett A. Brown, a Methodist clinical psychologist in Rome, Georgia. It includes a chat room too. It's at: http://www.religionnet.com/
SENIOR COM. A very well set-out site resembling a central square in a typica
l American home town, complete with city hall, advice centres and shops, all aimed at those over 50. This developed from President Tom Poole's search for a senior living community for his grandmother. There's advice on medical and (American) financial matters, travel, and much else,with free offers and a chance to get in touch with other people. Visit it at: http://www.senior.com/
SENIORITY.CO.UK describes itself as "the informative, fun and interactive online community of choice for people aged 50 (ish!). We have a wealth of entertaining and informative content provided by readers just like you." All the content is provided by visitors, so the quality of items is bound to vary a bit, but it's worth a look. It's at: http://www.seniority.co.uk.
SENIORS' COMPUTER INFORMATION PROJECT. A really excellent Canadian site offering an incredible variety of information and links including Ask Great-Granny (about your sexual and other problems!), Health Line ( medical questions answered) and a list of Seniors' Home Pages. But there's much, much more! Recommended by Joy Morrison who describes it as "everything at your fingertips". Pity about the title, though, that seems to suggest that it's all about computers! At http://www.seniorscan.ca
SILVER LINKS. Useful links to senior friendly sites compiled by retired UK librarian Sylvia Milne: http://www.sylviamilne.btinternet.co.uk/plucked/silv.htm
THIRD AGE. This claims to be "the online home of a vibrant online society...it presents the best the Net has to offer for active older adults". Based in San Francisco, it offers web guides, reviews and advice of all sorts, and, if you join (no charge), you can add your personal portrait and join in the chat. To chat, you'll also need to load in a special program available from the site. Worth a look, at: http://www.thirdage.com/
U3A (University of the Third Age). It's not what is usually meant by a university, but is made up of locally organised self-help groups offering meetings, lectures and some trips at little cost. Meetings are often held in people's houses. The quality of the speakers (and of the groups) varies greatly, but my sister thinks the Oxford group, to which she belongs, very good value, offering weekly meetings for only £14 a year. The Cambridge group has over 1600 members and offers over 180 activities for £25 a year. Other areas may have much less to offer. More information from your local library or information office- if you are lucky! Otherwise, 'phone their national office at 0171-837 8838 to find out if there is a group near you. The Harrow group website (that includes useful links to other U3A sites) can be found at: http://website.lineone.net/~harrowu3a/
VAVO is a London-based commercial site, claiming to provide an on-line community for the over 45s. It offers free webspace (although this was shut down for weeks earlier on), email, access to shops, no age limit travel policies, home and contents insurance, advice, forums, chat rooms etc. It's at: http://www.vavo.com/
WORK AND PENSION, DEPARTMENT OF, UK. If you have not yet retired, you can find out how much state pension you are likely to receive by filling in form BR19 (Pension Forecast Application Form) - obtainable from DSS offices, then posting it off to the Benefit Agency in Newcastle. This, their website, however, offers general information. It's at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/
YAHOO SENIORS' GUIDE. Simple news, lots of chat, and useful links, although not quite as comprehensive a site as you might have expected: http://seniors.yahoo.com/
YOUR MEMORIES CO.UK. Rob Blann's website offers personal recollections of life in Britain from between 1900 and 1970, including childhood and growing up, etc, arranged on a county basis. You are invited to contribute: http://www.YourMemories.co.uk/
Other possibly useful links will be found on my main list of LINKS.
Relevant Newsgroup?
NEWS: SOC.RETIREMENT. This newsgroup contains lots of chatty and some amusing comments, some more helpful than others, nearly all from Americans, and all a bit parochial, but you'll get some friendly help if you ask for it. Worth a look?
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